The Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand, headquartered in Canberra and Elaine, is the descriptive term of two parallel dioceses in Australia and New Zealand: the Patriarchal Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand; and the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, New Gracanica Metropolitanate. Bishop Milutin is the current hierarch of the New Gracanica diocese, and administers the patriarchal diocese.

History

Prior to 1992, the Serbian Orthodox in Australia and New Zealand were under two seperate dioceses: the schismatic (until 1992) Free Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, administered firstly by a Metropolitan who resided at New Gracanica Monastery, Illinois, USA, and then by a local bishop who resided at St. Sava's Monastery (New Kalenic), Canberra, ACT, and the larger Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, which was within the Church of Serbia and presided over by a bishop resident at St. Sava's Monastery, Elaine, Victoria.

In 1992, a reconciliation between the Church of Serbia and the New Gracanica Metropolitanate meant that there were now two directly overlapping dioceses in Australia and New Zealand, which were administered by two bishops, one each in Elaine and Canberra. In 2000, Bishop Nicanor became the first sole bishop in Australia and New Zealand, being appointed reigning bishop of the New Gracanica Diocese and also administrator of the patriarchal diocese. In 2003 Bishop Milutin was appointed bishop of the New Gracanica diocese and administrator of the much smaller patriarchal diocese. In 2006, Bishop Milutin was appointed Bishop of the newly-formed diocese of Valjevo following the separation of the Sabac-Valjevo diocese, and Hieromonk Irinej Dobrijevic was appointed in his place Statement from the Assembly of Bishops

Organization

The Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand is two parallel dioceses in the one geographical territory of Australia and New Zealand, both under the one bishop. Currently there are 41 parishes in Australia and New Zealand, with two monasteries and one skete.

The Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand was a founding member of SCCOCA.